Celebrating the revitalisation of North Shields
We were delighted to be part of the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) event on 2 September, which celebrated the completion of the revitalisation of North Shields that focussed on Northumberland Square and its surrounding buildings as well as Howard Street, including the historic Exchange Building. The event was ran in conjunction with the North Tyneside Together event, which took place in Northumberland Square. As well as the renovation programme the
Charity supporting older residents thanks to grant funding
Age UK North Tyneside is supporting older residents to get into fitness and community activities after launching a new range of weekly classes. With sessions covering everything from Pilates and balance exercises to reading and social groups, there’s something on offer for residents of all abilities. New classes are constantly being added to the schedule, with current plans for lunch clubs, dinner clubs and a refreshed book club, along with
Healthy body, healthy mind
March 2023 Healthy body, healthy mind: charity using exercise to manage mental health conditions. A mental health charity in North Tyneside is encouraging residents to look after their mental health through exercise. Tyneside and Northumberland Mind’s 12-week programme supports people to improve their physical and mental health and to manage their conditions through gym sessions. The charity provides members with individual assessments and workout plans which can include co-ordinated sessions
Newcastle Fibromyalgia Support Group
The Newcastle Fibromyalgia Support Group provides help, advice, friendship and, support for people in and around Newcastle who suffer from or have relatives that suffer from, Fibromyalgia, which is a chronic condition of widespread pain and profound fatigue. The group, which has been running for 16 years, hosts in-person meetings on the 3rd Monday of every month (excluding January) from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at the Oxford Centre in Longbenton. They
Homeshare UK
Homeshare UK is an innovative way of tackling the social care and housing crisis, which enables people to share their lives for mutual gain. It’s a shared living way of life, tackling two key issues in society around isolation and affordable housing. Homeshare tackles two key issues in society; loneliness and a lack of safe, affordable accommodation. Homeshare is an inter-generational programme, that brings together people with spare rooms, who are looking
Health Inequalities funding encourages residents to cook up a storm
Residents in North Tyneside have brushed up on their culinary skills by taking part in nutritionist led cooking sessions at the Linskill Centre. From healthier Christmas Biscotti to 10-minute noodles, the free cooking classes teach participants tasty but nutritional recipes that can be replicated easily at home. Each of the cooking courses are led by a qualified nutritionist and on average six participants attend the classes each week to learn
Keeping your IT secure – Jackdaw Web Design
Keeping your IT secure – some hints and tips from Jackie Latham of Jackdaw Web Design It goes without saying that we are living in very uncertain times. The last two years, plus the terrible situation in Ukraine, have left us all feeling, at best, unsettled. None of us know how the world will change in coming months, and much of it will be out of our control. But there
VODA’s AGM and VCSE Awards Presentation 2021
Our Annual General Meeting and awards presentation took place on Tuesday 23 November at the Linskill Centre in North Shields. This was our first in-person event since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 and it was fantastic to be able to catch up with everyone after such a long time. As well as a presentation of VODA’s latest annual report, annual review video and our accounts, the event
VODA VCSE Award Winners 2021
We are delighted to share the stories of our VODA VCSE award winners for 2021, who were presented with their prizes at our recent AGM by Dr Dave Tomson, Clinical Director of North Shields Primary Care Network. Read here to find out about our Sector Connector Community Friendly Business Award winners. Organisation of the Year Phoenix Detached Youth Project The Phoenix Detached Youth Project in North Shields started in February 2004. Working
Spirit of North Tyneside Awards
Nominate your unsung local heroes for the Spirit of North Tyneside awards! Nominations are open for the Elected Mayor’s Spirit of North Tyneside Awards 2021. Organised by North Tyneside Council in partnership with VODA, the event returns following the success of last year to celebrate our unsung heroes who selflessly give their time and energy to the people and communities of the borough. In 2019, the council declared a climate
The Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service 2021 announced in North Tyneside
Two organisations in North Tyneside have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. They are among 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country who are celebrating after winning the prestigious award this year, with five of them being in Tyne and Wear. The two North Tyneside recipients are: Remembering the Past Remembering the
The Northern Guide to Happiness featuring VODA
Episode 2 of the Northern Guide to Happiness podcast features our Robin Fry, CEO of VODA, talking about his love of film and music making as well as VODA’s response to the Covid pandemic, supporting volunteers and the local communities over the last 12 months, including helping people with food and prescription deliveries and befriending opportunities. You can listen to the podcast here: The Northern Guide to Happiness would love
VODA shortlisted for North East Charity of the Year
We are delighted to announce that VODA has been shortlisted for North East Charity of the Year at the North East Charity Awards 2020. The Awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the hard work and creative thinking by our local charities and individual fundraisers, whilst also highlighting the local businesses and employees who help to support the work of our charities. Go to reachplcevents.com/charity for more information about the
Animal Assisted Therapy Service available for partnership working
Ever wondered how a Therapy Animal might support your work? Northern Animal Assisted Therapies & Activities (NAATA) is pleased to introduce their team, which includes Heidi, the Therapy Dog and NAATA’s own flock of Therapy Hens. They’re eager to meet and greet North Tyneside residents and support the vital work of our third sector during COVID-19 recovery and beyond. NAATA supports young children’s development with an emphasis upon fostering wellbeing
How a small idea made a big difference to North Tyneside residents
How do you safely get cash from vulnerable residents to volunteers during a pandemic lockdown? This was the issue faced by the COVID-19 Support Hub during the early days of the COVID-19 crisis. Beneficiaries were shielding at home, with no access to cash, the Click and Collect slots at the supermarkets were full up for weeks and handing over a credit or debit card to someone you don’t know is
Cancer survivor hits fundraising target by hand making rainbows
Dawn Jamieson, a 56 year old local businesswoman, from North Tyneside has raised over £1,300 during quarantine for local cancer charity Live Well With Cancer. Dawn crocheted over 150 rainbows for people to hang in their windows to help brighten their homes. As a special gift to donors, Dawns’ 10 year old granddaughter Bobbi Jo also drew a picture of a rainbow with a message of support to everyone who
Five North Tyneside groups receive the Queens Award for Voluntary Service
This year sees a record number of groups in North Tyneside being honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the
VODA’s AGM and Awards Presentation 2019
Our Annual General Meeting and awards presentation took place on Wednesday 23 October at the Linskill Centre in North Shields. As well as a presentation of VODA’s latest annual report and accounts, the event featured keynote speaker Wendy Burke, Director of Public Health at North Tyneside Council, who discussed Population Health in North Tyneside and the role of the voluntary sector. We also announced the winners of VODA’s North Tyneside VCS awards.
BBC Radio Newcastle features Good Neighbours
We were delighted that the BBC Radio Newcastle Breakfast Show was able to join our Good Neighours shopping trip last week. They spent the morning chatting to our shoppers and volunteers to find out more about how this wonderful project helps to support people stay in their own home and keep their independence. You can listen to the feature from last week’s show below. If you would like to get
New Pavillion and Queens Award for Collingwood Bowling Club
It was a double celebration for the North Shields bowling club this month – not only did their new and improved pavilion get its grand unveiling, but the club was also awarded the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour given to community groups in the UK. The members of Collingwood Bowling Club have transformed their site at Heaton Terrace over recent years, since taking over the lease